HB 1274 Maryland House of Delegates · 2026 Regular Session

Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Established (Eric's Law)

HB 1274 authorizes Maryland public school systems to award three types of diplomas to deceased students: standard diplomas (for students near graduation in 12th grade), posthumous honorary diplomas (for students in 11th/12th grade close to graduation), and in memoriam diplomas (for students in grades K-10 or county residents). To qualify, students must have been enrolled in a Maryland public school, met credit requirements, and been in good standing at the time of death. Schools may only issue these diplomas upon written request from a parent, guardian, or next of kin, and all awarded diplomas are ceremonial with no academic credit or impact on graduation rates. The bill amends Maryland’s education code to establish these specific eligibility criteria and procedures.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House of Delegates Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 12, 2026 Last action Mar 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

First - Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Authorized → Third - Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Established (Eric's Law) · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was updated from a first reading version to a third reading version with amendments, adding sponsor names, committee approval status, and signatures for the Governor, Speaker, and Senate President. The core educational policy regarding posthumous diplomas remains substantively unchanged, though there are minor formatting adjustments and some text reorganization in the legal sections.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; this is primarily a procedural update reflecting legislative progress.

TECHNICAL

Added full list of bill sponsors (Delegates Miller, Addison, Buckel, Coley, Ebersole, Griffith, Hartman, Hornberger, R. Long, Mireku-North, Palakovich Carr, Pasteur, Patterson, Roberson, Vogel, Wilkins, Wims, and Young) and committee approval status.

Added signatures section for Governor, Speaker of the House of Delegates, and President of the Senate, indicating the bill has been approved for signature.

Minor formatting and text reorganization in the legal sections, including changes to section numbering and some redundant text additions like 'A A' and 'A SUBJECT TO' that appear to be drafting errors.

DEFINITION

Changed title from 'Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Authorized' to 'Education - Posthumous Diploma Awards - Authorized Established (Eric's Law)' to reflect the bill's progression through the legislative process.

Floor votes · House of Delegates Mar 5, 2026

How they voted

132–0

Passed · 10 other

Total votes 142

Mar 5, 2026

D Democratic103

96 Yea 7

93% Yea

R Republican39

36 Yea 3

92% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 19, 2026

Committee

Referred Education, Energy, and the Environment

upper

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Third Reading Passed

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments {

lower

Mar 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with Amendments Report by Ways and Means

lower

Mar 5, 2026

House Of Delegates · Passed

House of Delegates Vote: pass (132-0-10)

house of delegates

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

First Reading Ways and Means

lower

18 primary · 0 co-sponsors